The FAA Releases Safety Video for Drones this Holiday Season December 22, 2016

The FAA Releases Safety Video for Drones this Holiday Season

The FAA just released a safety video for the holiday season. With thousands of drones expected under christmas trees this year the FAA is taking a preemptive step by releasing a safety video on their youtube channel.

The video covers the basic safety steps for flying a drone: register your drone, don’t fly above crowds, don’t fly in restricted airspace or near any other aircraft and respect the privacy of people on the ground.

It also talks about the B4UFLY app. This app gives you up to date information on no fly zones for drones. You can find this app in the Itunes store or in the Google Play Store.

Current Rules for Drones

Fly no higher than 400 feet and remain below any surrounding obstacles when possible.

Keep your sUAS in eyesight at all times, and use an observer to assist if needed.

Remain well clear of and do not interfere with manned aircraft operations, and you must see and avoid other aircraft and obstacles at all times.

Do not intentionally fly over unprotected persons or moving vehicles, and remain at least 25 feet away from individuals and vulnerable property.

Contact the airport and control tower before flying within five miles of an airport or heliport. (Read about best practices here)

Do not fly in adverse weather conditions such as in high winds or reduced visibility.

Do not fly under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Ensure the operating environment is safe and that the operator is competent and proficient in the operation of the sUAS.

Do not fly near or over sensitive infrastructure or property such as power stations, water treatment facilities, correctional facilities, heavily traveled roadways, government facilities, etc.

Check and follow all local laws and ordinances before flying over private property.

Do not conduct surveillance or photograph persons in areas where there is an expectation of privacy without the individual’s permission (see AMA’s privacy policy).

Drone Safety and You

Users of commercial and recreational UAS should be aware that in remote, rural and agricultural areas, manned aircraft, including fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters, may be operating very close to ground level.

Pilots conducting agricultural, firefighting, law enforcement, emergency medical, wildlife survey operations and a variety of other services all legally and routinely work in low-level airspace.

Operators controlling UAS in these areas should maintain situational awareness, give way to, and remain a safe distance from these low-level, manned airplanes and helicopters.

The FAA wants to make sure both the recreational and commercial use of UAV’s (Drones) is as safe as possible; and Image In Flight would like to aid in that pursuit. All pilots need to be responsible for a safe and considerate community.